This Bicycle Button Lets Cyclists Tell the Mayor About Unsafe Roads

'Give a Beep' Button Connects to an App to Share Data on Bad London Roads

By

Alexandra Jardine

Published On

Jun 13, 2016

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Despite upgrading its cycle network, London still sees many cyclist deaths every year; so far in 2016, 14 people have died on bikes. Brands including Volvo, with its award-winning Life Paint, have made efforts to develop tech that can help make cycling safer; now another Swedish company, cycling tech firm Hovding, has come up with an innovative way to share information about dangerous spots.

Hovding, which makes airbag-protected cycle helmets, created the Give a Beep campaign with Swedish agency Edelman Deportivo. It developed a button for bikes which is connected via Bluetooth to the cyclist's phone through an app. When the cyclist presses the button, data is generated from that particular place to a map on the campaign site, which is updated in real-time. The purpose is to mark and draw attention to all unsafe streets and junctions in London. Every time they press the button an email is sent to the Mayor of London's office to make him aware.

Hovding has initially distributed 500 buttons to members and supporters of the London Cycling Campaign but since the campaign went live last week, has had requests from cities around the world to roll out the initiative. Over 800 emails have been sent to the Mayor of London so far.